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Acute Upper Respiratory Infection

What Is Acute Upper Respiratory Infection?

Anyone who has ever had a cold knows about acute respiratory infections. An acute upper respiratory infection (URI) is a contagious infection of your upper respiratory tract. Your upper respiratory tract includes the nose, throat, pharynx, larynx, and bronchi.

Without a doubt, the common cold is the most well known URI. Other types of URIs include sinusitis, pharyngitis, epiglottitis, and tracheobronchitis. Influenza, on the other hand, is not an upper respiratory infection because it is a systemic illness.

What are the Types of Acute Upper Respiratory Infection?

The types of URIs refer to the parts of the upper respiratory tract most involved in the infection. In addition to the common cold, there are other types of URIs:

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses.

Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis, the upper part of your trachea. It protects the airway from foreign particles that could get into the lungs. Swelling of the epiglottis is dangerous because it can block the flow of air into the trachea.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx or voice box.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes is bronchitis. The right and left bronchial tubes branch off from the trachea and go to the right and left lungs.

Who Is at Risk for Acute Upper Respiratory Infection?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the common cold is the most common cause of doctor visits in the United States. URIs spread from one person to another through aerosol droplets and direct hand-to-hand contact. Risk goes up:

When someone sick sneezes or coughs without covering his nose and mouth. Droplets containing the viruses are sprayed into the air.

When people are in a closed-in area or crowded conditions. People who are in hospitals, institutions, schools, and daycare centers have increased risk because of close contact.

When you touch your nose or eyes. Infection occurs when the infected secretions come in contact with your nose or eyes. .

During the fall and winter (September to March), when people are more likely to be inside.

When humidity is low. Indoor heating favors survival of many viruses that cause URIs.

If you have a weakened immune system

What are the Symptoms Acute Upper Respiratory Infection?

A runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, and sputum production are the hallmark symptoms of URIs. Symptoms are caused by inflammation of the mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract. Other symptoms include:

fever

fatigue

headache

pain during swallowing

wheezing.

How Is Acute Upper Respiratory Infection Diagnosed?

Most people with URIs know what they have. They may visit their doctor for relief from symptoms. Most URIs are diagnosed by looking at the patient’s medical history and doing a physical exam. Tests that may be used to diagnose URIs are:

Throat Swab: Rapid antigen detection can be used to diagnose group A beta-hemolytic strep quickly.

Lateral Neck X-Rays: This test may be ordered to rule out epiglottitis if you have difficulty breathing.

Chest X-Ray: This test may be ordered if the doctor suspects pneumonia.

CT Scan: This may be used to diagnose sinusitis.

How Is Acute Upper Respiratory Infection Treated?

URIs are mostly treated for relief of symptoms. Some people benefit from the use of cough suppressants, expectorants, vitamin C, and zinc to reduce symptoms or shorten the duration. Other treatments include:

Nasal decongestants can improve breathing. But the treatment may be less effective with repeated use and can cause rebound nasal congestion.

Steam inhalation and gargling with salt water are a safe way to get relief from URI symptoms.

Analgesics like acetaminophen and NSAIDs can help reduce fever, aches and pains.

How Can Acute Upper Respiratory Infections Be Prevented?

The best protection against URIs is frequent hand washing with soap and water. Washing your hands reduces exposure to secretions that can spread infection. Other strategies include:

Avoid being in close contact with people who are sick.

Wipe down objects such as remote controls, phones and doorknobs that may be touched by people in the house who have a URI.

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